My Doctor said I need to PREMEDICATE. At times physicians and dentists recommend that a patient take antibiotics before certain dental procedures. This is called “antibiotic prophylaxis.” Why do healthcare providers suggest this? We all have bacteria in our mouths, and a number of dental treatments—and even daily routines like chewing, brushing or flossing—can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream (bacteremia). For most of us, this isn’t a problem. However for some people bacteremia can cause an infection elsewhere in the body. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for a small number of people who have specific heart conditions. The American Heart Association has guidelines identifying people who should take antibiotics prior to dental care. According to these guidelines, antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered for people with: Artificial heart valves, infective endocarditis, a heart transplant in which a problem develops with one of the valves inside the heart, heart conditions that are present from birth and other conditions. Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines also have been developed for people who have orthopedic implants (joint replacements). In 2012, the ADA and American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons updated the recommendations and no longer recommend antibiotics for everyone with artificial joints. As a result, your healthcare provider may rely more on your personal medical history to determine when antibiotics are appropriate for people with orthopedic implants.The guidelines are re-evaluated every few years to make sure that they are based on the best and most up to date scientific evidence. . If you have a heart condition or an orthopedic implant, talk with your dentist or physician about whether antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment is right for you.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 17:00:44 +0000
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